Carnegie Mellon University

M.S. Program

General Coursework Requirements

Our MS program offers a broad range of courses in all areas of biomedical engineering. Considerable flexibility is allowed in the selection of courses to adapt to diverse interests, educational backgrounds, and career plans. These include biomaterials and nanotechnology, tissue engineering, computational and general neural engineering, computational and general biomechanics and transport, design of medical devices, biomedical imaging, and biomedical engineering for students with a BS in biological sciences.

Our program gives students the flexibility to focus most of their courses on their area of interest, but also ensures a well-rounded graduate. As part of their overall coursework, students must take a course in at least three out of five core areas: physiology and cellular/molecular biology, biomaterials and tissue engineering, biomechanics, biomedical imaging and bioinformatics, and neuroengineering. Each of these courses must be of 9 units or more. All students are also required to take Biomedical Engineering Seminar (42-701) or (42-801) during each semester of residence to learn how established professionals are applying biomedical engineering to research, industry, and other pursuits.

Program Handbook

BME M.S.

The BME M.S. program is designed to build both depth and breadth of knowledge in biomedical engineering. The program appeals not only to students from standalone biomedical engineering programs, but also to students of traditional engineering or basic science disciplines who wish to develop a career in biomedical engineering. Students interested in entering medical or graduate school may find the program useful as post-baccalaureate training for improving their credentials.

The M.S. in BME offers in-depth, course-based academic training in Biomedical Engineering. It is meant for CMU College of Engineering students enrolled in the Integrated Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree Program, and also serves as the basis for our cross-training programs, such as the Dual MS in BME/E&TIM. Detailed requirements are described in the Graduate Student Handbook.

BME M.S. - Applied Study

This program provides in-depth, course-based academic training in biomedical engineering plus an additional experience in which biomedical engineering is applied in a real-world setting. Students in the Applied Study M.S. degree program should normally expect to spend one and one-half academic years (16 calendar months) in full-time graduate study. Detailed requirements are described in the Graduate Student Handbook.

Practicum Requirement for BME M.S. - Applied Study

In addition to coursework, the Applied Study program requires a practical training component. This training component can be satisfied in one of three ways. Note that while only one of these options can be used to satisfy the practical training requirement, students can take any or all of the options below for additional units that apply towards the degree. The three practical training options are:

  • Internship. Students can take 42-792 Internship in Biomedical Engineering (3 units). The student takes Internship in Biomedical Engineering 42-792 during the summer upon approval of the BME Department (and the Office of International Education for international students), for the purpose of gaining experience in real-world practice. The internship must be directly relevant to biomedical engineering.
  • Practicum. The student must complete a Practicum in BME. The Practicum requirement may be met by taking either the BME Practicum course 42-790.
  • Research. The student can conduct research with a BME faculty mentor upon agreement of the mentor, while registering for at least 12 units of 42-890.

BME M.S. - Research

The BME M.S. - Research program facilitates careers that require a combination of advanced knowledge in biomedical engineering and independent research skills. The program typically takes 21 months of full-time residence (minimum 36 units per semester) to complete. 

This program supplements course-based academic training in biomedical engineering with an in-depth, original research experience leading to the submission of a thesis or the publication of peer-reviewed journal paper. Students should normally expect to spend four semesters in full-time graduate study. Detailed requirements are described in the Graduate Student Handbook.

Research Requirement

Completion of the BME M.S. - Research program requires a comprehensive report describing original, independent research. BME M.S. - Research students enjoy a wide choice of advisors from close to 50  faculty members, whose expertise ranges from basic to translational, experimental to theoretical. Students spend the first two months meeting potential research advisors. The student is then matched with a research advisor by the end of the second month based on mutual interest, after which the student immediately starts their research. Students are expected to lay the groundwork of research while taking courses during the first year. The balance of effort then shifts to research during the following summer and second year. Detailed requirements are described in the Graduate Student Handbook.

MS in Computational BME – Applied Study

This program supplements the in-depth, course-based computational training of the MS in Computational BME degree with an additional experience in which biomedical engineering is applied in a real-world setting. 

Detailed requirements are described in the Graduate Student Handbook.

MS in Computational BME – Research

This program supplements the in-depth, course-based computational training of the MS in Computational BME degree with an in-depth, original research experience leading to the submission of a thesis or the publication of peer-reviewed journal paper.

Detailed requirements are described in the Graduate Student Handbook.

M.S. in Artificial Intelligence Engineering - Biomedical Engineering (MSAIE-BME)


In Biomedical Engineering, AI has the potential to transform healthcare with a wide range of applications. Biomedical AI can help a doctor diagnose a disease, determine its optimal treatment, and predict the patient’s prognosis. Biomedical technologies such as brain-computer interfaces, neuroprosthetics and medical imaging have been enriched by the application of AI and machine learning techniques to biological signal analysis and image processing.

This three-semester program offers students the opportunity to gain mastery of AI and Biomedical Engineering domain expertise. Students will learn how to integrate AI/machine learning approaches with engineering design and system analysis to develop effective AI-based solutions in biomedical engineering. Please visit MSAIE-BME page for more information.

Online Graduate Certificate in 3D Bioprinting & Biofabrication 

Earn your Online Graduate Certificate in 3D Bioprinting & Biofabrication and gain the expertise to fabricate complex 3D tissues using easily accessible materials. Learn to design biomedical scaffolds, assess material suitability, navigate FDA approval, and employ advanced tissue engineering methods. This flexible, 100% online program features live evening classes and self-paced activities, allowing you to balance learning with your professional life.

Physicians, biomedical engineers, and other medical professionals will acquire the skills needed to create bio-fabricated tissues and bring this actionable knowledge back to their organizations.

Learn more about the 3D Bioprinting and Biofabrication online graduate certificate. 

Dual M.S. in Biomedical Engineering and Engineering & Technology Innovation Management (E&TIM)

The E&TIM M.S. program educates future engineering leaders by providing frameworks to lead, foster, and manage technical innovation. The BME M.S. program may be combined with the E&TIM program to form a 21-month dual M.S. program that encompasses two highly interdisciplinary, complementary, and innovative fields.

The dual degree program starts with one (Fall) semester in the Biomedical Engineering program, followed by the E&TIM program for one year including a summer internship. The student then returns to Biomedical Engineering to finish the BME M.S. requirements. Some elective technology courses may count toward both degrees. 

Detailed requirements are described in the Graduate Student Handbook

Integrated Master's/Bachelor's program (IMB)

Biomedical Engineering allows a streamlined application process for qualified CIT and MCS students to enter its accelerated BME M.S. program. Please see the application process.

Considerable flexibility is allowed in the selection of courses, to adapt the M.S. Program to diverse interests and career plans.

MS in Computational BME

This program offers in-depth, course-based academic training in Biomedical Engineering, with a focus on computational methods applied in any sub-field of BME. It is meant for CMU College of Engineering students enrolled in the Integrated Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree Program who desire additional training in computational techniques.

Detailed requirements are described in the Graduate Student Handbook.